The performances of Persib Bandung and Persipura Jayapura in the AFC Cup this week have gone some way to lifting the gloom surrounding Indonesian football following the postponement of the 2015 Indonesia Super League (ISL) by a government body on Feb. 18.

The start of the ISL season has been put on hold until April as clubs scramble to fulfill demands to get their affairs in order. So Asia's secondary competition provided some respite for Indonesian fans wanting to see some of their favourite stars...

Long-suffering fans will have to wait at least until April for the new Indonesian season to kick off.

The 2015 Indonesia Super League was due to kick off on Feb. 20 with reigning champions Persib Bandung hosting Persipura Jayapura at Si Jalak Harupat Stadium in Soreang. After several days training in different parts of the country, Persipura were safely ensconced in their Bandung hotel and fans around the country were eagerly awaiting a new season of local football.

But with just over 48 hours until the big kickoff, the little-known Indonesian Professional Sports' Council (BOPI), a government body,...

Forward Zulham Zamrun was one of the bright spots in Indonesia's unsuccessful Suzuki Cup campaign.

It can be difficult at times to be optimistic about Indonesian football. The game lurches from one disaster to another.

Consequently, many supporters are resigned to the national team's fate as Southeast Asia's biggest underachievers. This is even more relevant after Merah Putih crashed out of the AFF Suzuki Cup in the group stage, winning only their meaningless final game against Laos in their Group A assignments.

Forward Zulham Zamrun was one of the few bright spots in Indonesia's unsuccessful Suzuki Cup campaign.

John Cleese's much-quoted line from the 1986 movie Clockwise fits Indonesian football well. "It's not the despair -- I can take the despair -- it's the hope I can't stand." Heading into the AFF Suzuki Cup, there were not many expectations among fans that the Merah Putih could stop being the regional bridesmaid and actually win the thing after four final defeats. But there was always hope. And it is the hope that hurts.

Not anymore. In a parallel universe, the 5-1 defeat to Laos in the final...